In the Spring of 2018, we set out on a re-tour of Croatia to bring our book Cracking Croatian Wine: A Visitor Friendly-Guide to life. There was so much to share about Dalmatia that we ended up shooting five episodes on the region. This is the fifth and final episode about Dalmatia, ‘Cracking Croatian Wine In Brač & Hvar’.

The Croatian Wine Region of Slavonia

Most wine geeks have heard of Slavonia, but usually, they associate it with high-quality oak for barrels. Very few people are aware that Slavonia is a Croatian wine region. This continental region is located in the eastern reaches of Croatia.

In addition to wine, this region is home to the Croatian specialty Kulen. It is a pork sausage spiced with paprika. This dense meat is served sliced and makes a perfect pairing with the local wines.

Slavonia is a versatile region capable of producer red & white Croatian wines. One of the principle grape varieties is Graševina (commonly known as Welschriesling, Olaszrizling, Laški Riesling, Italian Riesling, etc) but red grapes like Merlot, Zweigelt, Frankovka (Blaufränkisch), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah also flourish here.

The best thing is that these wines represent some of the finest values in Croatian wine. Come explore the region with us in ‘Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia’.

Watch “Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia” on Exotic Wine Travel YouTube:

Timestamps: Cracking Croatian Wine Zagreb & Slavonia

(1:04) Come be a local with us in Zagreb. We will take you to the Trešnjevka Market for our favorite local snack from Burek Mira. After grabbing a snack, we’ll take you to our favorite coffee place in Zagreb Teneo Coffee.

(2:08) Joins us for dinner at Dubravkin Put. This is our favorite restaurant in Zagreb and the head sommelier Tihomir Purišić has assembled one of the finest wine lists in Croatia.

(5:28) Take a road trip with us to the Croatian wine region of Slavonia. This region was founded by the Cistercian Monks in the 13th century. They set up a wine cellar in Kutjevo that is still producing commercial wine.

(5:58) Meet Krunoslav Sontacchi, owner and winemaker at Sontacchi Winery. Together with his brother Antun, Krunoslav runs a winery and guesthouse in the center of Kutjevo. Sontacchi produces one of the most sought after Pinot Noirs in Croatia in addition to an excellent Cabernet Franc.

(7:04) Have dinner and breakfast with us at Sontacchi Guesthouse. They cook excellent, honest food from sourced local ingredients.

(8:44) Meet Ivan Enjingi of Enjingi Winery, the first to privately bottle wine in Croatia. Mr. Enjingi put Croatia on the map by winning the Regional Trophy for Best White Wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Ivan won the award with his white wine named ‘Venje’. It continues to be an iconic Croatian white wine.

(10:25) Slavonia is a potentially great wine region but definitely has its obstacles. Learn more about Slavonia’s struggles here.

(10:44) Join us for a private tasting at Krauthaker Winery. Vlado Krauthaker is a Croatian wine pioneer. He is always experimenting and produces a wide range of white, orange, and red wines that always deliver high quality. A tasting at the cellar always turns out to be a huge event.

(12:24) Discover a few other high-quality producers in Slavonia including Kutjevo Cellars, Adžić, Feravino, Perak, and Orahovica.

(12:43) Come taste with us at Galić Winery. Local businessman Josip Galić just opened a modern, state-of-the-art cellar in the heart of Kutjevo. They produce quality wines that are widely available throughout Croatia. His latest sparkling wines made with the Champagne method are worth seeking out.

View, like, share the full episode on our Facebook Page:

The finest selection of Croatian wines

available at:

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    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

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Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You May Also Enjoy: Making Cracking Croatian Wine

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Cracking Croatian Wine: Zagreb & Slavonia appeared first on Wine Travel.

Updated: 20 April, 2021

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated!

Zlatý Roh

One of our favorite wineries in central and eastern Europe is Slovak.

Located just outside Bratislava in the village of Devín, Zlatý Roh is a young winery with a bright future. These are minimal intervention Slovak wines. Their vineyards are located on the Danube and you can see Northern Burgenland (Austria) just across the river. Winemaker Filip Nagy works with organically farmed grapes and ferments the wines spontaneously with native yeasts.

We first visited the estate in 2018, during our second whirlwind tour through the Slovak wine regions. Filip immediately impressed us with his energy, focus, and vision. This is a small project now, just done out of a garage but the plans are to expand the vineyards and build a new winery. That’s all in the future, for now, these are some of the most exciting wines coming out of Slovakia. Get your hands on them if you can!

Wine Recommendations

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

• Zlatý Roh, Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

This is the first vintage of Zlatý Roh Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon. There are notes of blackberry, pine, graphite, and sour cherry notes. It’s all fruit at this point. Fresh and full in body with a touch of green notes on the finish. It’s young now and should round into form in a few years. For a natural red, this is very solid and should cellar well, possibly deserving an uptick in score. Score: 89/100

• Zlatý Roh, Blanc 2018

The Blanc is our favorite wine from Zlatý Roh every vintage. It’s a barrel-fermented blend of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Notes of sweet peach, sliced apricots, grass, lime, and a touch of white pepper. This is a full-bodied, unfiltered, and unfined white. It’s slightly cloudy with a tangy finish, no tannins. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, Pinot Noir 2018

The Zlatý Roh Pinot Noir is very old world in style, it’s more of an earthy, vegetal wine. Notes of soil, greens, fall leaves, and mushroom with strawberry. It really smells like a forest floor with a touch of forest berries. Silky smooth palate with concentration and a long finish. There is some grippy tannin. This has a future in the cellar, its made in the spirit of Burgundy. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, Veltlínské Zelené 2018

Another brilliant white from Zlatý Roh is this Grüner Veltliner, which is golden in color. Notes of lime, basil, grass, and white pepper. It’s a full-bodied, unfiltered wine. It’s so ripe that you wouldn’t expect it to be from Slovakia. Bright, focused fruit and a peppery finish. Score: 90/100

New 2019 Vintage

Zlatý Roh changed up the labels with the 2019 vintage. The style remains the same but the wines are named after the vineyard of origin. This is another set of beautiful wines from this boutique Slovak producer. The Riesling and Pinot Noir really stood out to me in this set of wines.

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck Purweg’ Blanc 2019

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck Purweg’ Blanc is a bend of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling aged in wood and amphora for 6 months. I have loved every vintage of this wine in the past. Notes of green guava, pineapple, grass, pine cone, and a kiss of oak. At this point, the nose is a little shy but the palate is where it comes to life. Plenty of explosive green and white-fleshed fruits upfront with crushed rocks on the backend. The texture is the key to this wine. There’s a lot of substance here and vibrant acidity. Long finish. Score: 91/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Riesling 2019

This Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Riesling is a beautiful, minimal intervention white. Notes of honey, white pepper, white pineapple, and green guava. On the palate, the fruit is crunchy and layered. There’s a vibrant spine of acidity that runs through the wine. The skins were in contact for 12 hours, which leaves a very faint trace of tannin. Gorgeous wine. Score: 92/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’’ Veltlínske Zelené 2019 

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’’ Veltlínske Zelené 2019 is Grüner Veltliner fermented in cask and amphora and aged for 10 months. Flavors of baked apple, grass, white pepper, and passion fruit. The wine is a bit shy right now but there’s a lot of texture here. There is a small amount of tannins and limey acidity. With time in the bottle, this could very well deserve an uptick in score. Score: 89/100 

*Check out the 2020 fermenting in the video below

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Goldeck’ Pinot Noir 2019

The Zlatý Roh, Pinot Noir 2019 is partially fermented with whole clusters (50%) and aged in cask and amphora for 10 months. Delicious, earthy Pinot Noir. Notes of sour cherry, cranberry, fall leaves, pepper, and earth. It’s unmistakably Old World Pinot Noir on the nose. Silky smooth palate with soft tannins. There’s a spiciness on the finish that’s undeniably good. Put this in the cellar and watch it bloom. Score: 91+/100

• Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

The Zlatý Roh, ‘Purweg’ Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend aged in oak. This has considerable alcohol levels for how far north it is grown (14.3%). It shows more earth and cool climate characteristics. Notes of cherry, earth, tobacco, and fall leaves. On the palate, it’s silky smooth and some capsicum notes emerge. Chewy tannins. Don’t expect Bordeaux but do expect a delicious, complex red blend. Score: 89/100

You might also enjoy:

Exotic Wine Travel Slovak Wine Articles

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Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Slovak Wine With Style: Zlatý Roh appeared first on Wine Travel.

Thank goodness for Slovenian white wine.

This tiny country located is located on the north coast of the Adriatic Sea. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in wine quality. Around 70% of Slovenia’s production is white wine.

I use the term white wine loosely because Slovenia (especially Western Slovenia) has made a name for itself as an epicenter of the minimal intervention, orange wine (amber wine) movement. Many of Slovenia’s most exciting white wines see various amounts of skin contact, anywhere from a few days to a few months.

Slovenian White Wine

For a breakdown of Slovenian wine regions, see my previous article on Slovenian red wine. White wine grapes are found throughout the country. In the eastern regions of Posavje and Podravje, you’ll find cool-climate grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Renski Rizling (Riesling), Laški Rizling (Welschriesling/Graševina), Šipon (Furmint), Gewürtztraminer, Rumeni Muškat (Yellow Muscat), and Chardonnay. Generally speaking, most of the whites here are fresh, crisp, and clean although there are more barrel-fermented and macerated wines to be found.

Primorska (Primorje) is located in Western Slovenia and is broken into the wine districts of Slovene Istra, Kras, Vipava, and Goriška Brda. This has become the heartland of the Slovenian natural wine and orange wine (amber wine) movement. You’ll find a number of unique white grapes like Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), Malvazija Istarska, Sauvignonasse (Friulano/Jakot), Pinela, Zelen, and Vitovska in addition to French grapes like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

The Quality

Primorska is generally regarded as Slovenia’s top wine region in terms of fine wine. In Posavje and Podravje, the whites are generally fresh and crisp, making them great summer sippers. It’s an area that I’d love to explore in even greater depth (unfortunately there were not a lot of samples submitted from these two regions). Over the years, I’ve noticed more macerated and full-bodied whites coming out of the regions. At their best, these wines can absolutely stand toe-to-toe with those from Primorska.

The majority of wines in this article are from the districts of Slovene Istra & Vipava (Goriška Brda will be covered in a separate article). Both of these subregions in addition to Kras are overshadowed by Goriška Brda but they should not be dismissed.

A small sliver of Istria falls within Slovenia’s borders, it’s here that producers make magic with Malvazija Istarska. I prefer to drink Malvazija Istarska that has been macerated. The skins offer a sweet, floral flavor and ripe tannins. The region is home to Slovenia’s largest producer, Vina Koper, but there are many small, boutique wineries doing excellent work.

Vipava and Kras are located on the border of Italy and offer some of the most exciting Slovenian white wines. Vipava is the second-largest wine district in Slovenia in terms of vine coverage. This spectacular valley acts as a corridor from Western to Central Europe. It’s a sub-Mediterranean region that is aided by the cooling influences of the Burja (wine gusts that rip through the valley). In both subregions, you can find classically styled and macerated whites made from grapes like Rebula, Malvazija Istarska, Laški Rizling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay in addition to local specialties like Vitovska, Pinela, and Zelen. The best producers craft wines that will impress even the most critical of palates.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for part 2 of the article.

Slovenian Wine Recommendations:

Discover great Slovenian white wine at wineandmore.com

Štajerska

• Vino Kupljen, Sirius 2018

The Vino Kupljen, Sirius is a barrel-fermented Chardonnay aged for 18 months. This is a big step up from the previous vintage. Ripe, barrel-aged Chardonnay. Notes of limestone, guava, white peach, melon, and a perfect touch of oak. Full-bodied with many layers of texture and a salty, gritty mouthfeel thanks to the oak. A longer finish would propel this into epic levels. Give this five years in the bottle to unlock even more! Score: 90+/100

• Vino Kupljen, White Star 2019

The Vino Kupljen, White Star is a barrel-aged blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio. Notes of jasmine, melon, white pineapple, and a touch of white pepper. The barrel integration is fantastic here. It’s a white wine built to age. Fruity, minerally, and full on the palate, it’s reminiscent of Friulian whites. Score: 90+/100

• Matic, Marl Grown Chardonnay 2017

The Matic, Marl Grown Chardonnay is left on the skins for two days and aged in oak casks. Notes of banana chips, dried peach, mineral, and yogurt. Full and rich in body. This doesn’t explode with fresh stone fruits like a standard, fresh Chardonnay. This is more savory with hints of dried fruit flavors. There’s a lot of texture and structure here. It’s delicious now but really needs a few years in the bottle to come together. Score: 90/100

• Kobal, White Reserve 2016

The Kobal, White Reserve is Chardonnay and Traminer (Gewürtztraminer) macerated for 72 hours and aged in wood. An impressive and unique nose of lemon meringue pie, melon, yellow flower, and a touch of yogurt. Full-bodied. The wood dominates on the palate but with time, this may melt into the wine. There are plenty of flavors here, it’s fruity, woody, spicy, and floral all at once. This is a high-quality white but the flavors may be too unique for many palates. I do really enjoy it. Score: 90/100 

• Kobal, Sauvignon 2020

The Kobal, Sauvignon is a wine that over-delivers in its modest price point. It is macerated for 72 hours. It has a pure Sauvignon Blanc nose of kiwi fruit, green herbs, grass, and white pepper. This is zingy and electric on the palate. There are no tannins from the maceration but there is plenty of texture here. It’s more than just a generic, simple white wine. Serve this fresh white on a hot summer day. Score: 89/100

*I also highly recommend the Kobal, Šipon (Furmint) 2020

Bela Krajina

• Šuklje, Belo 140 2017

This Šuklje, Belo 140 is a cool blend of Kerner and Riesling. The Kerner is aged in Acacia wood. An attractive nose of apple, fresh honey, white pear, and flint. Kerner makes up 80% of the blend and all of it is aged in Acacia but the wood doesn’t dominate the nose here but it does show up on the palate. Medium-bodied and crispy, this is a unique white that should capture attention. Mineral-driven finish and lemony acidity. Score: 89/100

Slovene Istra

• Korenika & Moškon, Elepard 2008

The Korenika & Moškon, Elepard is a crazy cool wine. Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc macerated for 60 days and aged for a whopping 120 months in the barrel. This is in between a hardcore orange wine and an Amontillado sherry. Aromas of mixed nuts, dried figs, fall leaves, orange peel, saffron, and sweet peach. Crazy complex nose. For such a high alcohol wine (15%) this has impeccable elegance on the palate. Long, salty finish. No sulfur added. Score: 94/100

• Korenika & Moškon, Sulne 2011 

The Korenika & Moškon, Sulne is a macerated blend of Malvazija Istarska, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Dark amber color, it actually looks like an amber gemstone. Complex nose of dried apricot, spring water, forest floor, and dried mango. The palate is full of flavor, explosiveness, and complexity. Sandy texture with a lemon and butterscotch finish with ripe tannins. For an orange wine, it’s all about balance, balance, balance. Score: 93/100

• Zaro, ‘Pivol’ Malvazija 2018

The Zarl, ‘Pivol’ Malvazija is macerated and is a selection of the best grapes. Pivol is the name of the village where it’s grown. It’s on the skins for just over a week then fermented and matured in large cask. Golden in color. This has the beautiful notes that macerated Malvazija is capable of. Notes of white pepper, sweet peach, apricot, yellow dandelion, and chalk. Very complex and thought-provoking nose. The palate is very elegant for a macerated white wine. Full of yellow fruit flavors and subtle mineral notes. The tannins and sweet and supple. Score: 92+/100

• Vina Koper, ‘Capris’ Malvazija 2018

This is a value-for-money wine from Slovenia’s biggest producer. It’s a fresh white wine showing well after a year in the bottle. Notes of sweet peach, minerals, yogurt, and a touch of sage. Rich in texture and body for a wine that only saw stainless steel. In Slovenia, this wine can be had for around 5 Euros. Score: 89/100

• Ražman, Malvazija Petrea 2018

The Ražman, Malvazija Petrea is macerated for two days and aged in wood for a year before release. It’s a beautiful, floral Malvazija. Notes of sweet peach, yellow flower, pepper, and a touch of lemon peel. This has all the flavors of Malvazija Istarska without the heavy orange wine flavors. Low level of tannins and nice texture. Slightly spicy finish. Score: 90/100

• Ražman, Malvazija Antiqua 2017

Ražman, Malvazija Antiqua is the reserver white of the estate. It’s Malvazija Istarska macerated for 15 days and aged for two years in oak. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the prior two vintages of this wine. This is more aromatic than the Malvazija Petrea. The nose explodes with dandelion, yellow peach, red berry, mineral, and white pepper notes. If you closed your eyes, you might think this is a medium-bodied red. This is a unique wine because it’s chewy, full, and elegant at the same time. The tannins are gorgeous and add just a little grip. Long finish. Score: 92/100 

Vipava

• JNK, Malvazija 2015

The JNK, Malvazija is Malvazija Istarska that saw three days of skin contact. Notes of apricot, lemon, yellow flower, and a touch of thyme. This is a gorgeous vintage of this wine. There’s a lot of fruit here and plenty of texture and layers. For an orange wine, there is a lot of tension here. Grippy tannins and a long finish. This is electric and exciting with a lemony finish. Score: 92+/100

• Guerila, Retro Belo 2018

The Guerila, Retro Belo is a blend of Zelen, Pinela, Rebula, and Malvazija aged in large casks for a year. Beautiful notes of tobacco, apricot, sweet peach, and a touch of white pepper. Incredibly complex and full-bodied. It has real texture. I am shocked by this wine, I found their wines quite tight in the past but this vintage is really singing. It is almost Gravner in style. Not too big and brooding, just fun to drink. Score: 91/100

• Cultus, White 2019

The Cultus, White is a blend of Pinot Blanc Malvazija Istarska and Zelen. The wine sees three days on the skins and is a combination of barrel and stainless steel fermented. This is a barrel-fermented white done right. Notes of Asian pear, white peach, chalk, and a kiss of yogurt from the barrel and lees. It’s mouth-coating on the palate with a slightly lemony finish. It’s not an overly fruity white, nor is it mineral-driven. Balance is the key here. I suspect it may improve with time in the cellar. Score: 90/100

• Tilia Estate, Pinot Gris 2020

The Tilia Estate, Pinot Gris is first wine I’ve had from the 2020 vintage thus far. This is the wine that is produced in the largest quantities by Tilia Estate. For a fresh white wine, this is gorgeous. Notes of pineapple, tropical fruit, flint, and a touch of grassiness. Explosive and full of flavor. Fruity, fresh, and crisp. This is a wine that nobody will push off the table. Score: 89/100

• Tilia Estate, Nostra 2018

The Tilia Estate, Nostra is a partially barrel fermented and aged blend of Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. I think this wine is one of the best from this estate vintage after vintage. Notes of pineapple, melon, banana, and roasted chestnuts. The oak integration is very good here. The wine is full-bodied with plenty of fruitiness upfront. It finishes with a tangy, tangerine-like flavor. This is not the most complex barrel-aged white in the world but it’s a lot of fun to drink and has enough weight to keep many happy. Score: 90/100 

• Batič, Angel Selekcija Belo 2018

The Batič, Angel Selekcija Belo is a barrel-fermented blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Welschriesling. Matured in barrel for 20 months. Gorgeous nose with notes of yellow peach, quince, fresh-cut apricot, mineral, and just a kiss of vanilla from the wood. The oak integration is perfect here, the wood adds just a touch of sweetness without it overpowering the wine. Everything is in balance here, almost French-esque in execution. This wine has a history of aging well, this should be no exception. Score: 94/100

• Batič, Angel Rezerva Belo 2014

Out of 15,000 vines, only 600 bottles of the Batič, Angel Rezerva Belo are produced. A blend of Pinela, Zelen, and Vitovska matured for two years in wood and bottled without sulfur. Deep orange color. It has a refined nose of sage, thyme, lilacs, and dried yellow stone fruits. The palate is explosive. It’s a lot more fruit-driven than the nose would suggest. Intense saltiness and a low amount of tannins for a skin-contact white. Long, tangerine peel-like finish with plenty of electricity. Score: 94+/100

• Burja, Bela 2019

The Burja, Bela is a field blend of Rebula, Laški Rizling, Malvazija Istarska, and small amounts of various varieties. It’s macerated and aged for 10 months in concrete and wood. I like this wine in every vintage. Notes of yellow flowers, melon, lemon, cut grass, and a touch of crushed rocks. This is a raw, natural wine but a complex one at that. The palate brings equal complexity with a nice interplay between lemony acidity and flinty flavors. Long finish and easy-going tannins. Score: 92/100

• Burja, Stranice 2017

The Burja, Stranice is a field blend of Malvazija Istarska, Rebula, and Laški Rizling that’s macerated for 12 days and aged in concrete. The vineyard is only 0.9 hectares. Intense notes of lemon, grapefruit, sweet peach, seawater, and citrus peel. Compared to the Burja Bela, this has much more concentrated fruit flavors. The mid-palate and the finish have the flavors of a fresh fruit salad. The tannins are easy-going and the finish is long. I usually prefer the standard Bela to this wine but in these latest releases, the Stranice takes the cake. For fans of this style, this wine is a real winner. Score: 93/100

• Vipava 1894, ‘Terase’ Chardonnay 2018

The Vipava 1894, ‘Terase’ Chardonnay is barrel-fermented Chardonnay. A part of this cuvée was kept on the skins for one week. Golden in color, it has the typical Chardonnay nose of melon and white peach with great oak integration and a touch of flinty notes. It’s full-bodied and rich with a creamy texture. The wood never gets in the way of the wine here. There’s a little bit of grip on the back end. Overall, this is a very good effort at this price. A longer finish would push the score to higher levels. Score: 90+/100

You can learn more about our scoring system on the wine rating page.

The finest selection of

Slovenian

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Slovenian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Slovenian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

You Might Also Enjoy:

• Slovenian Red Wine
• Rebula: Slovenian Wine’s Flagship Variety?
• The Return of Modris Les Noirs
• Rebula from Vipava Valley

Thanks to all of the producers for providing tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Slovenian White Wine Part 1 appeared first on Wine Travel.

“Are you making low alcohol wines because you like them, or is it because it’s what consumers are looking for these days? “

Dirk Niepoort looked at me in the eye for a second before replying, “when it comes to these wines, I don’t give a s@#!t about what the consumer thinks.”

Dirk joined his family company in 1987. From Niepoort’s inception to that point, it was focused as a Port shipper. Dirk spearheaded the company’s transformation and foray into table wines. Today, Niepoort produces a wide range of Port wines and table wines in seemingly every region in Portugal.

Niepoort Vinhos

When Dirk joined Niepoort in 1987, his goal was to make great table wines. His first project was a wine called ‘Robustus’, which was released in 1990 followed by the ‘Redoma’ which was first released a year later. I’ll never forget my first taste of the former, which is anything but robust. Recent vintages have so much ripeness and fruit without being jammy or high in alcohol. The last vintage that I tasted clocked in at 12.2% ABV.

A wine geek at heart, Dirk is one of the most respected winemakers in all of Portugal. I first met him last year at the Douro Boys Auction 2019. After sharing several meals with him, his passion for wine became even more evident. As a Burgundy nut, Dirk crafts wines that he wants to drink.

Niepoort produces wines all over Portugal and collaborates with other winemakers on other projects labeled as Niepoort Projectos. Niepoort reds in places like the Douro, the Dão, and Bairrada show that the region can do more than just concentration and power. Niepoort’s examples are focused on finesse and elegance. They are dare I say, Burgundian.

When my friend first told me about these low alcohol wines (especially from the Douro), I was skeptical. After tasting the wines, I’m a believer. Better yet, these wines are found around the world at fair prices. Wine geeks need to seek these out.

• Fio, ‘Fio’ Riesling 2015 – Mosel, Germany

This is a project collaboration between two young guys and Dirk in the Mosel. It’s a traditional style Riesling that is aged in large casks for two years. Gorgeous nose of baked apple, slate, apricot, and white pepper. There’s plenty of richness and fruit here with perfectly integrated oak. The mineral finish caps off a real winner. Score: 91+/100

• Niepoort, Nat Cool Branco 2019 – Vinho Verde

This is made in old school way of Vinho Verde, bottled with a touch of residual sugar so the wine would re-ferment and have some soft bubbles. It’s a blend of many grapes like Azal, Arinto, Avesso, Trajadura, and Loureiro. This wine has some sediment and cloudiness. Notes of the sea, along with beer yeast, lemon, and grass. Surprisingly fuller in body for a Vinho Verde than I would expect. Spritzy bubbles and lively, fun wine. Buyer beware, some people might think this smells too sulfurous and too much like eggs on the first whiff. You need context before getting served this wine. After a few days in the fridge, it shed its funkiness and what was left is a delicious, minerally white.  Score: 89/100

• Niepoort, Redoma Tinto 2018 – Douro

The Niepoort, Redoma Tinto is one of the staples in Dirk’s portfolio. It’s a field blend including grapes like Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão, and Tinta Roriz. It’s aged in old oak for 22 months. Even though it’s young there are notes of leather along with sweet red cherry, blueberry, and some mineral tones. Excellent fruit concentration for a wine that is only 12.5% abv. It’s almost like a dense Pinot Noir. The palate is sensual with many layers and fine-grained tannins. Brilliant stuff. Score: 93+/100 

• Niepoort, Concisco 2014 – Dão

This is a field blend made from vines up to 100 years in age. Most of the varieties in the field are Baga and Jaen (Mencia). It’s aged in cask for 20 months. Like a red Burgundy with notes of red forest fruits, forest floor, leather, and pepper. Very complex and rich smelling for a poor vintage and a low alcoholic wine. The fruit is concentrated enough on the front end while the acidity stretches out the finish. Tannins are still a little chewy, which would allow this wine to age well. Very good for a tough vintage. Score: 91+/100

• Niepoort, Bastardo 2018 – Douro

This grape is known as Trousseau in France. This is aged for 20 months in French oak. Very light in color for a red. Notes of fresh cut strawberry, raspberry, flint, white flower, and a touch of muskiness. Delicate and lighter on the palate with plenty of red fruit notes, vibrant acidity, and surprisingly chewy tannins. It reminds me of Nerello Mascalese from Etna. This is fresh and fun but I bet it could really start to soar after time in the bottle. Score: 90+/100

• Niepoort, Poerinho Baga 2014 – Bairrada

Made from vines of Baga that are over 100 years old. Aged for 20 months in large vats. At only 11% ABV, this really smells like a Burgundy. Savory with notes of leather, sour cherry, stems, and earth. The nose gives way to plenty of Old World notes. Medium-bodied, this doesn’t have the aggressive tannins that Baga can have. High acidity and a juicy finish. This is a wonderful effort for a tough vintage. Score: 91/100

*I talk about this bottle at 2:59 in the video below.

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

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Niepoort provided tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Niepoort: Low Alcohol Portuguese Wine appeared first on Wine Travel.

Moravia is a hot region right now. It’s located in the eastern reaches of the Czech Republic and over 90% of Czech wine is produced there. I’ll never forget my first visit there in 2018. The rolling hills and endless sea of vines didn’t make it seem like a ‘new’ wine region.

That’s because Moravia isn’t a new region, the Romans brought vines to the area in the 2nd century. There’s a long history of wine production here. A new wave of minimal intervention producers is putting Moravia on the map. Some of the most exciting we’ve tasted are from 7 Řádků, which translates to 7 Rows.

7 Řádků is a project of Filip Nagy, a Slovak winemaker who also happens to craft exciting Slovak wines under the brand Zlatý Roh – just north of Bratislava. The wines of 7 Řádků/7 Rows primarily use fruit from Moravia. The wines are fermented with native yeasts and Filip uses as little sulfur as possible.

In the past, I preferred Filip’s Slovak project Zlatý Roh. The wines from 7 Řádků always seemed a little too wild and extreme for my tastes. The current vintages have me thinking twice. The 7 Řádků wines I remember had a very Laissez-faire feel to them. The current releases taste a bit more reigned in.

Filip insists that the differences are just an expression of the fruit and vintage. “There was no intention to move with our style with 7rows,” he says. “We always take the grapes and process them as we feel that would be the best thing.”  Deliberate or not, I love the latest vintages from 7 Řádků. These wines will appeal to both the natural wine crowd and those who drink more classically style wines.

• 7 Řádků, Not For Sale White 2019

7 Řádků, Not For Sale White is pure Welschriesling that saw six hours of skin contact and is aged in new oak. Bright and expressive nose of grass, white flower, baked apple, and starfruit. The nose is intense and the wood is integrated well. The palate has this great medley of fruit, acid, flowers, and minerals. These wines have been a bit too crazy for me in the past but this is clean. Full, rich, and plenty of fun. Score: 90+/100

• 7 Řádků, Dark Ages 2019

The 7 Řádků, Dark Ages is a 50/50 blend of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner that is barrel fermented. Fine notes of green mango, dried pineapple, grass, and dried lemon peel. Oak integration is stellar. Chewy and full bodied on the palate. This has a lot of sediment, so you can decant or drink it cloudy. Intense flavors of dried fruit coupled with fine acidity. Long finish. Score: 92/100

• 7 Řádků, Ryzlink Vlašsky Orange 2019

The 7 Řádků, Ryzlink Vlašsky Orange is Welschriesling macerated for 4 weeks and aged in large oak casks. An extreme orange wine with notes of dried orange peel, apricot, tamarind, and grass. The nose is very exotic. The palate is full and the generous acidity keeps the wine fresh. The tannin level is low here. This feels very much like an Austrian-style orange wine. Another example that shows this much-maligned grape can produce fantastic wine. Score: 91/100

• 7 Řádků, Qvevri 2019 

The 7 Řádků, Qvevri is Grüner Veltliner macerated and fermented for 7 months in Georgian qvevri. It’s aged in large casks. In this style, it has a brilliant nose. notes of crushed yellow flower, dried mango, dried apricot, and lemon peel. The palate is full and generous while the oak aging adds a touch of seasoning to the wine (but is not over pronounced). Bright acidity. This has the energy and pizazz to introduce people to this style of wine. Score: 89/100

• 7 Řádků, Bilé Cuvée Black Label 2019

The 7 Řádků, Bilé Cuvée Black Label is a field blend of varieties like Grüner Veltliner, Welshriesling, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Müller Thurgau, and many others. Grapes are foot trodden and barrel fermented. Fine nose of cut grass, banana, green guava, dried pineapple, and white peach with a touch of flintiness. The fruit here is the real highlight, it tastes like a fruit salad with lemon sprinkled on top. The wood adds a touch of sweetness here. This is a lot of fun to drink and should improve with some bottle age. Score: 92/100

• 7 Řádků, Rosé 2019

TThe 7 Řádků, Rosé is barrel fermented Blaufränkisch that saw 10 months of aging. This has been a long time favorite of ours from this estate. Neon pink color. Notes of strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, and a touch of white pepper. This is a complex wine that drinks like something in between a rosé and a light red. Plenty of forest fruit flavors dance on the palate. There is a small touch of tannin here that adds to the complexity. For those who want to explore, this is a beauty. Score: 92+/100

• 7 Řádků, Frankovka 2018

The 7 Řádků, Frankovka is Blaufränkisch bottled with a crown-cap. I thought this might be a Pét-nat at first. It’s a delicious, fruity red with notes of black raspberry, black cherry, tobacco, and a touch of pepper. This is ripe and full-bodied without being too extracted. It has a peppery finish and chewy tannins. Juicy with some tannins and just enough complexity, it’s an outstanding choice to put on the dinner table. Score: 89/100

• 7 Řádků, Piece of Cake 2019

The The 7 Řádků, Piece of Cake is fortified Alibernet that has 80 g/L of RS and 16.5 % of alcohol. It is foot trodden like Port. The color is pitch black. Notes of dark cherry, dark chocolate, pepper, and tobacco. It really smells like a young ruby Port. Silky and sensual on the palate. The nice thing about this wine is the lower alcohol level for a fortified wine. Chewy tannins and a lengthy finish. This is a pleasant surprise and a wine that all those with a sweet tooth should love. Score: 91/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

You might also enjoy:

Slovak Wine With Style: Zlatý Roh

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7 Řádků provided tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post 7 Řádků: Czech Natural Wine appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated.

Winnica Wieliczka

Before the world went crazy, I judged in the Vermentino Competition 2020 in Sardinia, Italy. One of the judges was Agnieszka Rousseau, who is Polish and makes wine in both France and Poland. We got along well and she mentioned her project in Poland, Winnica Wieliczka.

Just a few weeks later, Charine chanced upon the Winnica Wieliczka, Pinot Noir during a press trip in Istria, Croatia. She had a very positive impression of the wine, which pushed me to seek them out.

Winnica Wieliczka farms biodynamically in Poland, they are the only Polish wine producer that works solely with Vitis Vinifera. Many other producers in Poland have hybrids that can handle the cold winters. “We have a scientific approach when it comes to biodynamics,” Agnieszka says. “When you start to analyze it (biodynamics) and have basic knowledge of microbiology, plant physiology, physics, and chemistry, all of a sudden it doesn’t seem so esoteric.”

Biodynamic farming in a cold, northerly climate takes some guts. Because of previous experiences with Polish wine, I expected the wines of Winnica Wieliczka to be ‘ok’. All of the wines exceeded my expectations.

The whites see skin contact and the reds show impressive concentration considering the latitude (don’t expect the big and bold). All of these wines have texture and real soul. They are the kind of wines that convey what the Italians call, ’emozione’. To try these wines, you’ll probably have to travel to Poland. If you do find yourself in the country, make sure to seek them out.

If I owned a trendy natural wine bar, these Polish wines from Winnica Wieliczka would definitely be on the menu.

• Winnica Wieliczka, Jantar 2018

The Winnica Wieliczka, Jantar is a field blend macerated for five months. Clean notes of sweet peaches, dried apricots, citrus peel, and cut grass flavors. The tannins are round and not astringent. It’s got intense flavors with high acidity. Elegant and clean with a slightly herbal (not unripe) touch. A high-quality orange wine from Poland, very cool. Score: 89/100

• Winnica Wieliczka, ‘Cuvée Seraf’ Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc 2018

The Winnica Wieliczka, ‘Cuvée Seraf’ doesn’t taste like Chardonnay, nor does it taste like Sauvignon Blanc. It is delicious though! The wine was on the skins for five days. Notes of grass, yellow flower, winter melon, green apple, and a touch of white pear. This has some significant body with a rich, chewy texture and bright acidity. Everything is harmonious on the palate. Delicious, minimal-intervention style of white wine. Score: 90/100

• Winnica Wieliczka, Chardonnay 2018

The Winnicia Wieliczka, Chardonnay is late-harvested (Późny zbiór) Chardonnay that sees two weeks of skin contact and is aged in oak. Notes of dried orange peel, sweet peach, honey, and daffodil emerge from the glass. This has been aged in wood so the wine has significant structure. Sweet and persistent fruit on the finish. This is a wine that really should be enjoyed after more years in the cellar. Note: It tasted best after three days after opening. Score: 88/100

• Winnica Wieliczka, Pinot Noir 2018

The Winnica Wielieczka Pinot Noir is a delicious, classic take on the grape with notes of raspberry, sour cherry, fall leaves, earth, and smoke. Round and silky palate. The acidity is high but doesn’t cut through the palate or make the wine too sharp. Good length and a wine that should develop nicely. Pinot Noir is such a tough grape to tackle, which makes this even more impressive. Score: 90/100

• Winnica Wieliczka, ‘Cuvée Regis’ Merlot Pinot Noir 2018

The Winnica Wieliczka, ‘Cuvée Regis’ is excellent for a red wine from the far north (latitude-wise). It acts a lot like a Loire Cabernet Franc or a Carmenere with pleasant green notes that aren’t distracting. There are notes of cherry, graphite, capsicum, forest floor, and a touch of wood. Medium-bodied, low-alcohol, and elegant red, it’s easy-going with a sensual texture. Score: 90+/100

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Thanks to Winnica Wieliczka for the wines. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Polish Wine From Winnica Wieliczka appeared first on Wine Travel.

I love German Riesling and my go-to region is the Nahe.

A drive through the small, winding roads of the Nahe gives way to vineyards that are as step and impressive as those in the Mosel and the Rheingau. Oberhausen is located at a small bend of the Nahe River and is home to some of those stellar vineyards.

The village is home to one of Germany’s most famous producers, Dönnhoff, and an up and comer in Gut Hermannsberg. In 2009, Jens Reidel and Dr. Christine Dinse purchased the old Nahe State Domaine (which was established in 1902). They immediately renamed, renovated, and breathed new life into the winery.

Gut Hermannsberg

The wines are fairly new to me. Just last year in Berlin, I picked up a bottle of the Gut Hermannsberg, ‘7 Terroirs’ Riesling 2018. A purchase was purely coincidental, motivated solely by its origin of The Nahe.

Fast-forward a few months later and I finally get the chance to taste the Grosses Gewachs from the estate. The wines definitely taste of Nahe. The fruit is bright and ripe but still retains it’s ‘Rieslingness’ while the acidity is plentiful but not enamel-searing. The interplay of all these elements on the finish is what stands out the most.

The best part? These wines are very fairly priced and are sure to please all fans of Riesling. Here’s a look at some of the latest releases from Gut Hermannsberg.

• Gut Hermannsberg, ‘7 Terroirs’ Riesling 2019

The Gut Hermannsberg, ‘7 Terroirs’ Riesling is the Gutswein from the estate and the fruit is sourced from all seven of Gut Hermannsberg’s vineyards. Classic notes of lemon, pineapple, mineral, and apple blossom. It’s expressive for an entry-level white wine and there’s a lot to offer here. Acidity is bracing but not too sharp, it’s a great way to get people into Riesling. The finish has a tangy interplay between the fruit and acid. For the price (around 11 euros in Germany, this deserves a slight uptick in the score. Score: 90/100 

• Gut Hermannsberg, ‘Von Vulkan’ Riesling 2019

The Gut Hermannsberg, ‘Von Vulkan’ Riesling is an Ortswein (village wine) from the estate. The nose is a bit shy and not as expressive as I would like to see in a Riesling. The palate makes up for the shy nose. There are bright flavors of pineapple, lemon, white pepper, and white peach. It’s really like biting through a fresh fruit salad. Racy acidity that creates tension and energy on the palate. Score: 89/100

• Gut Hermannsberg, ‘Hermannsberg Niederhausen GG’ Riesling 2018

The Gut Hermannsberg, ‘Hermannsberg Niederhausen GG’ Riesling is an expressive wine from Gut Hermannsberg’s monopole Grand Cru vineyard. This is the current release and is ready to go right out of the gate. Notes of white peach, lemon, white pepper, apple blossom, and a touch of petrol. Full, rich, and generous on the palate. The flavors check the boxes for a fine Riesling but it’s the multiple layers of texture that stand out here. The acidity is high but is very balanced considering that it is a Riesling. Long finish. Score: 93/100 

• Gut Hermannsberg, ‘Steinberg Niederhausen GG’ Riesling 2019

The Gut Hermannsberg, ‘Steinberg Niederhausen GG’ Riesling has notes of white flower, cotton candy, lemon, and mineral notes. This has searing acidity that carries the citrus and yellow fruit notes. It’s a powerful wine that hasn’t come close to its peak yet. White pepper and mineral finish. Intense tension and length put this in the cellar for another ten years and watch the magic unfold. Score: 92+/100

• Gut Hermannsberg, ‘Kupfergrube Schlossböckelheim GG’ Riesling 2015

The Kupfergrube site is a Grand Cru vineyard located on an old copper mine. This is a re-release of the wine. Hauntingly complex with notes of natural gas, dried pineapple, honey, dried lemon peel, and a touch of white flower. The palate is full of explosive stone fruit and mineral notes. The citrusy acidity stretches the length. It smells aged on the nose but fresh and crispy on the palate. It still has a long life ahead of it. Score: 94/100

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Thanks to Gut Hermannsberg for the wines. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Gut Hermannsberg appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated.

Tomac Amfora

Just a 35-minute drive west of Zagreb, is one of Croatia’s top producers. Tomac winery is located in the steep hills of Plešivica. They are known as one of the premier wineries for sparkling wine, which makes up over half of their production. While their sparkling wines are indeed delicious, Tomac Winery also produces fine still wines.

Georgia is famous for its qvevri (amphora) wines and Joško Gravner of Italy is often credited for making amphora wines vogue in the modern wine world. Joško influenced his friend Tomislav Tomac to purchase a few qvevris to experiment. Tomac released their first ‘Amfora’ wine in 2008 and their 2010 ‘Amfora’ Pjenušac Brut Nature (sparkling wine) made the list of “75 Stellar Buys of 2016” in Decanter Magazine.

Tomislav Tomac doesn’t make his ‘Amfora’ wines every vintage. He chooses only the best grapes from the best varieties. “The amphora isn’t a magic box”, he says. “If you use subpar grapes, the wine will be a disaster.”

All of the Tomac ‘Amfora’ wines are fermented and aged in amphora for approximately six months. After that, they are pumped out and aged in large oak casks for at least two years. These wines are made in tiny quantities and you’ll have to travel to Croatia to try them. We think that the most diligent will be pleased with the latest releases.

• Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Pjenušac Brut Nature 2015

This is only the second vintage of the Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Pjenušac Brut Nature. I may like the 2010 a tad more but this is still wonderful. The base wine is fermented and macerated in amphora. Notes of tangerine, apricot, and lemon peel. It hasn’t developed a lot of tertiary notes yet. Chewy texture and a fine bead of bubbles. Modeled after an oxidative style, vintage Champagne, flat out classy stuff. Score: 92+/100

• Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Traminac 2017

The Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Traminac is 100% Gewürtztraminer macerated for six months in amphora and aged 13 months in cask. It’s the first vintage of this wine from Tomac. Bright yellow in color. Notes of honey, sweet peach, dandelion flower, and grass. Although it spends a long time on the skins, it really retains the flavors of the grape. It feels more like a richer, dry white than an orange wine. Floral and musky finish with just a touch of bitterness. Score: 92/100

• Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Sauvignon 2017

The Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Sauvignon Blanc macerated for six months in amphora and aged in a large cask. This is the first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc done in amphora. It’s shy at first and needs air to show the best. It has the perfect blend of Sauvignon Blanc character in an orange wine. Subtle notes of dried kiwi, dried yellow peach, grass, and a touch of chestnut. Full and fluid on the palate with subtle tannins. Vibrant acidity. Score: 91/100

• Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Rajnski Rizling 2016

There have been several vintages of the Tomac, ‘Amfora’ Rajnski Rizling at the latest edition is wonderful. It’s macerated for six months in amphora and aged in large oak casks. This is another fine edition of this wine. There’s plenty of orange peel, fresh apricot, chestnut, and earth flavors. The wine is full-bodied and the tannins are round. Generous acidity thanks to the grape. Score: 91/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

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If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

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Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Tomac Amfora: New Releases appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated!

Croatian Wine

Located across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, Croatia has no shortage of excellent wine. We fell in love with the country’s wines for a few reasons, first is the staggering number of indigenous grapes (around 140). Second is that the top Croatian wines can stand toe to toe with the best bottles from around the world.

Thanks to the geography and diversity of grapes grown, Croatia can produce many different wines. The country is broken up into four PGI regions, Istria & Kvarner and Dalmatia have a Mediterranean climate. The Croatian Uplands and Slavonia & The Danube have a continental climate. This allows for a diversity of styles and ensures there are Croatian wines to suit all types of palates.

Croatian wine writer Saša Špiranec put together a masterclass titled “Croatian Wine Icons”. He selected some iconic labels and sourced older vintages. All of the wines were made predominantly of indigenous or regional grapes instead of international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, etc.

Thanks to the robust tourism industry and a voracious local market, the best Croatian wines are sold out every vintage. This means that most of these wines will be very difficult to track down. All of these wines perform well in every vintage, so picking up the current releases is sure to put a smile on your face.

Here’s how these iconic Croatian wines performed.

Croatian Wine: Flight 1

• Enjingi, Venje Bijelo 1998 – Slavonia & The Danube

This vintage of Enjingi, Venje Bijelo put Croatian wine on the map when it won a Regional Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2004. It’s a late harvest, barrel-aged blend of Graševina, Traminac, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris. There’s a lot of development here with notes of fall leaves, honey, apricot, white pepper, and daffodil. Although it smells of an aged sweet wine it is bone dry with an almondy, Sherry-like finish. Remarkable after 20+ years of aging. Score: 93/100

• Kozlović, Santa Lucia White 2009 – Istria & Kvarner

The Kozlović, Santa Lucia White is one of Croatia’s best white wines every year it’s made. This vintage is good but doesn’t live up to my lofty expectations. There are notes of apricot, green guava, honey, and white flower. Full-bodied with texture and a mineral finish. The wine doesn’t come together as seamless as other editions I’ve had, which pulls the score down a tad. Score: 90/100

• Krajančič, Statut 2011 – Dalmatia

Krajančič is considered the godfather of modern Pošip and his Statut is a barrel-fermented beauty. This is spectacular stuff. The wine is normally very oaky when young but now it has integrated perfectly. There are notes of dried apricot, yellow peach, sage, and melon. It’s rich and full with plenty of sweet fruit on the palate. Salty and long finish. Score: 94/100

• Antunović, Graševina Premium 2013 – Slavonia & The Danube

Another wine that has made waves on the local scene. This vintage of Antunović, Graševina Premium won a Platinum Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. It’s a late harvest, dry wine that shows the potential of the grape. Notes of honey, cotton candy, apricot, and baked apple. Full-bodied with a stony finish. Score: 92/100

• Krauthaker, ‘Kuvlakhe’ Graševina 2015 – Slavonia & The Danube

Vlado Krauthaker traveled to Georgia and decided he wanted to make a line of macerated, sulfur-free wines with organically grown grapes. The ‘Kuvlakhe’ series is the result. This is a beauty with an explosive nose of sweet apricot, tangerine, fall leaves, and dried yellow flowers. There are a lot of tannins here but they are soft and accompanied by juicy acidity. Score: 92/100

• Coronica, Gran Teran 2004 – Istria & Kvarner

Coronica is one of the finest producers in Istria and the Gran Teran is his flagship wine. We’ve had several vintages of it but not as old as this one. The nose is great and resembles a fine Chianti Classico. There are notes of sour cherry, wax, tobacco, earth, and rusty nail. It’s full-bodied but the high acidity keeps the mouthfeel lively. Chewy tannins that suggest this can live much longer in the cellar. Score: 92+/100

Croatian Wine: Flight 2

• Benvenuti, ‘Santa Elisabetta’ Teran 2015 – Istria & Kvarner

The ‘Santa Elisabetta’ Teran is a new wine in the Benvenuti portfolio. We tasted this several times in 2019 and it never disappointed. It’s a wine that smells like a dense red from Piemonte (Italy). The bottle at this tasting was a little fruitier than we remember, but the quality was still the same. Notes of cranberry, cherry, cedar, cacao, and tobacco. Full-bodied with chewy tannins, this should last a long time in the cellar. Score: 93/100

• Markus, ‘Franz Ferdinand 101’ Babić 2015 – Dalmatia

The Markus ‘Franz Ferdinand 101’ Babić is the finest example of this indigenous Croatian red grape. Read more about it in this feature article. Score: 93/100

• Miloš, Stagnum 2005 – Dalmatia

Miloš wines are not for those just getting into wine. They age their Stagnum for many years in cask and bottle before release. This iconic Plavac Mali resembles an imaginary blend of Rioja Gran Reserva, Taurasi, and aged Barolo. This wine has notes of tomato leaf, tobacco, cigar, tar, and dried strawberry. It’s a rich, full-bodied red with firm tannins. It’s a divisive wine between Charine and me. I think it’s a brilliant effort. Score: 94+/100

• Zlatan Otok, Plavac Grand Cru 2011 – Dalmatia

Zlatan Otok is another one of Croatia’s old guards and the Plavac Grand Cru is the top wine in the portfolio. This Plavac Mali is a big, meaty, true Mediterranean red. There are notes of violets, game, strawberry, and black pepper. Chewy tannins and a long finish that remind me of a Taurasi (Italy). Score 93/100

• Stina, ‘Remek djelo’ Plavac Mali 2011 – Dalmatia

Stina is one of our favorite producers of Croatian wine and their ‘Remek djelo’ Plavac Mali has only been made in four vintages to date. This is polished, structured, and complex. It has notes of violets, Mediterranean brush, strawberry, pepper, and cedar. This is a massive wine that has finesse at the same time. It finishes long with big tannins. Score: 94/100

• Bura, Dingač 2016 – Dalmatia

The Bura, Dingač is one of Croatia’s cult wines made in tiny quantities. It’s 100% Plavac Mali and has notes of strawberry, bubblegum, meat, rose, thyme, and pepper. It’s a full-bodied wine that is elegant and shows lots of refinement. The tannins are round and grippy and guide the long finish. Score: 92+/100

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

The finest selection of

Croatian wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Croatian Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Vinart provided complimentary admission to the Croatian Wine Icons workshop. Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post 12 Croatian Wine Icons appeared first on Wine Travel.

Do you like wines with a touch of bottle age?

Croatia is a fascinating country with plenty of quality wines made from both indigenous and international varieties. Thanks to the high volume of tourists and a voracious local market, the best producers sell out of their production every vintage. This is a great thing for wineries but the flip side is that aged Croatian wine can be difficult to track down.

That’s why the masterclass series of the Vinart Grand Tasting is so exciting. The Vinart Grand Tasting is the premier tasting in the Croatian wine industry. It happens annually in the early spring and the weekend event is preceded by two weeks of masterclasses.

The Vinart Grand Tasting Masterclasses

During this edition of the Vinart Grand Tasting, Charine and I attended twenty masterclasses. The majority of the classes were either vertical tastings or included rare archive wines. Tastings like this are incredibly rare since Croatian wines are purchased and consumed young. If you are in Croatia in late February, this event and the masterclasses are not to be missed.

Unfortunately, most of the aged wines in this article are not available for sale (producers have very few archive wines in the cellar). While the country (and surrounding regions) has a long history of producing wine, the modern era in Croatian wine is relatively young. Tastings like this show that there is a high level of competency in winegrowing and production. We feel honored to witness this story unfolding in front of our very eyes.

Here are some highlights from the Vinart Grand Tasting Masterclasses including a fine white Slovenian wine and a red Serbian wine.

Wine Recommendations:

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

White Croatian Wine

• Korta Katarina Pošip 2017 – Dalmatia

This is the first vertical tasting Korta Katarina has done on a large scale as they sell out of their wines on a regular basis. This is another excellent vintage of the Korta Katarina Pošip. There is an explosive nose of pineapple and kefir lime with some sage. Round palate because some of the wine is barrel-aged. Round mouthfeel and a crisp bite of fruit at the end. Score: 91+/100

• Iločki Podrumi, ‘Arhivsko Vino’ Graševina 2008 – Slavonia & The Danube

The Iločki Podrumi, ‘Arhivsko Vino’ Graševina is made from late-harvested fruit and it has a touch of residual sugar in it. This has started to develop some honey notes along with melon, grass, and white pepper. It’s full-bodied and still has lots of fruit and freshness, it has resisted aging. Long finish. Score: 92/100

• Matošević, Grimalda White 2016 – Istria & Kvarner

The Matošević, Grimalda White was the first Croatian white wine we fell in love with many years ago. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Malvazija Istarska, and Sauvignon Blanc. Part of the cuvée is barrel-aged. This may be the finest vintage we’ve tasted. Notes of white peach, kiwi, grass, and white flower. Tight acidity stretches out the finish, this has a bright future in the cellar. Score: 91+/100

• Vina Laguna, ‘Festigia Vižinada’ Malvazija Riserva 2011 – Istria & Kvarner

This is Vina Laguna’s premier Malvazija from the Vižinada vineyard that faces Motovun. During a vertical tasting of this wine, this was the most impressive. It’s in a great place now with notes of apricot, white peach, yogurt, and a touch of natural gas. It’s full and round on the palate. Score: 90/100

• Šember, Qvevri 2015 – The Uplands

The Šember, Qvevri is an orange wine made of Riesling fermented and macerated in Georgian qvevri (amphora). It has haunting aromas of burnt rubber, apricot, smoke, and fall leaves. It’s full-bodied and packed with high acidity and chewy tannins. Score: 91/100

• Damjanić, Malvazija 2012 – Istria & Kvarner

During a vertical tasting of the Damjanić, Malvazija the 2012 stood out. It is a fresh white wine that is made to be consumed fresh and not aged. This has come along great and still has plenty of life ahead of it. It’s got a nose of yogurt, lavender, white peach, and natural gas. The bottle age has put weight on the wine. Long finish. Score: 92/100

• Kutjevo, Graševina arhivsko vino 1963 – Slavonia & the Danube

It was the third time I tasted the Kutjevo, Graševina arhivsko vino 1963. The third time proved to be a charm. This has aged well and is very Fino Sherry-like. Notes of almond, white peach, white apricot, and fall leaves. The high acid has kept this alive. The wine has residual sugar but the acidity keeps the wine feeling dry. Score: 92/100

White Slovenian Wine

• Jakončič, Carolina Bela 2013 – Goriška Brda, Slovenia

The Carolina Bela is the signature white wine from Jakončič, one of our favorite estates in Slovenia. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), and Sauvignon Blanc. This is an archive wine that is still incredibly young. Notes of melon, yogurt, white peach, and other stone fruits. It’s full of fruit and subtle power on the back end. The barrel aging adds structure and a long finish, this has a long future ahead of it. Score: 93/100

Red Croatian Wine

• Degrassi, Terre Bianche Cuvée Rouge Riserva 2008 – Istria & Kvarner

During the vertical tasting of Degrassi wines, the Terre Bianche Cuvée Rouge Riserva 2008 stood out. This is a gorgeous wine that tastes like a fine Super Tuscan. This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc has flavors of black fruit, tobacco, black olive, and sweet cedar. It’s full-bodied with firm tannins and a tangerine peel-like acidity. This still has a lot of life left in the cellar. Score: 93/100

• Jakob, Cuvée 2008 – Slavonia & the Danube

The Jakob, Cuvée is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The fruit is grown in Slavonia. This is at it’s drinking peak now. There are notes of tobacco, black cherry, leather, smoke, and pepper. There is a spike of intense fruit on the palate and the tannins are developed. Better yet, this has the potential to age further in the bottle. Score: 90+/100

A Few Current Releases

• Tomaz, ‘Barbarossa’ Teran 2017 – Istria & Kvarner

Tomaz is a producer to watch in Istria as they continue to improve with every vintage. The Tomaz ‘Barbarossa’ Teran is beautiful this vintage. It has notes of flint, crushed rock, sour cherry, and red raspberry. It’s round and refined from barrel age. The acidity is under control for this variety. Score: 90/100

• Crvik, Vilin Ples 2016 – Dalmatia

Crvik is a producer in the Konavle Valley. It’s in Croatia’s deep south, near the border with Montenegro. The Crvik, Vilin Ples is sort of a “Super Dalmatia”. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Plavac Mali. It’s a big, ripe Mediterranean red with notes of red cherry, garrigue, and tar. This is full of fruit with firm tannins. This wine is a current release. Score: 89/100

• Krauthaker, Pinot Crni 2017 – Slavonia & the Danube

This vintage of Krauthaker Pinot Crni (Noir) is sensational. In a masterclass, I tasted it next to two red Burgundies (Vosne-Romanée and Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru) and the Krauthaker showed very well. It’s a big, structured Pinot Noir with notes of cherry, fall leaves, pepper, and cinnamon. This is very young and the wood is a tad heavy now but the mouthfeel and structure and phenomenal. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this blossom into a showstopper. Score: 92/100

Red Serbian Wine

• Temet, Ergo Crveno 2017 – Šumadija, Serbia

Temet is a producer we’ve liked since we first visited them back in 2016. Their Ergo Crveno was originally a Bordeaux blend but in 2016 Temet changed the blend. The wine now has 50% Prokupac along with Bordeaux varieties. This vintage has notes of dark cherry, graphite, capsicum, and pepper. There’s a good mix of fruit and green notes and firm tannins. It’s big, ripe wine with a long future ahead of it. Score: 91+/100

The finest selection of

wines available at:

Shipping is available EU-wide and to the UK.

Check out Wines Available in the USA.

************

    Do you want to try Croatian wines?    

If you want to savor the exquisite flavor of Croatian wines, look no further than wineandmore.com. With many options from different winemakers, it’s easy to find exactly what your palate desires. Not sure which bottle is best for you? Try out one of their curated wine cases and discover the perfect vintage for any occasion!

************

Want to learn more about wine?

Are you ready to discover the wonderful world of wines? Come join us at wineandmore.com, and let’s explore the incredible selection of delicious wines together! We can’t wait to share our passion for wine with you!

Vinart provided complimentary admission to their workshops. The cover photo is courtesy of Vinart. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Vinart Grand Tasting: Croatian Wine from the Archive appeared first on Wine Travel.